The board reached their decision despite no guarantee of a sweetener from the
SFA, who refused to give a firm commitment to move next season's Homecoming
Scottish Cup semi-finals from a weekend to a midweek date.

The SPL said in a statement: "The SPL board today announced that next season
will kick off on August 15, 2009.

"This meets George Burley's request, formally made on Wednesday, for a clear
weekend ahead of the Norway v Scotland match on August 12.

"Facing a late start and an early end to the season because of the World Cup,
we asked the SFA for a firm commitment to move the Scottish Cup semi-finals to a
midweek.

"This would have provided certainty in giving a clear weekend to play a round
of league matches and helped our teams with European commitments.''

The statement continued: "The SFA told us yesterday that they would meet our
request. But, subsequently, this commitment was withdrawn.

"The SPL board met this morning. They were deeply disappointed at the SFA's
unwillingness to provide the commitment sought.

"But, given the board's wish to meet the Scotland team manager's request for a
free weekend on August 8, they decided the season would now start on August
15.''

Blair said: "Helping the national side was at the forefront of our efforts
over the past few days.

"We worked to find a way of accommodating George's request while managing the
issues this creates for us and our clubs.

"We are disappointed the SFA were not more willing to work with us in
assisting the national side.''